Sewing Tips & Tricks: How to Avoid Pressing in the Round

Monday, March 09, 2015

Today, I would like to show you my trick to avoid pressing in the round. Pressing in the round is when you sew fabric together to form a circle or tube, then you need to press a hem or casing. To press, you would need to fit the circle around the end of the ironing board. For the end of a sleeve it becomes even more complicated by the tight circle. I try to avoid all of that as much as possible!!

I am using a waistband casing for this example, but the same technique is true for hems and sleeves.

For a waistband, sew the two rectangles together at one short end. Finish the seam and press to one side.

Now, press your casing in place. In this case, press 1/4" to the wrong side. Then, again 1" to the wrong side. See how nice and easy it is to press it all flat instead of in the round!

Now, unfold the pressed ends and stitch the short ends right sides together completing the circle.

Finish the seam.

Refold the casing at the seam and press at the seam only. The rest is already done!

Sew the casing per your pattern instructions.

Here you can see how I applied the same method to the hem of the skirt.

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Patty Young

I am a lover of all things pretty and colorful. I have several fabric collections through Riley Blake, Michael Miller and Jo-Ann Fabrics. I am also a published author with C&T Publishing, with 3 sewing books and 2 coloring books. And lastly, I am the owner of MODKID, LLC which specializes in high-quality boutique-style sewing patterns. Welcome to my blog!